Bourne woman accused of stealing pills from vets

A woman accused of stealing prescription drugs from a Wareham veterans home was indicted Tuesday, according to a statement from the office of US Attorney Carmen M Ortiz.

By JASON COOK

capecodtimes.com

By JASON COOK

Posted Jan. 9, 2013 at 2:00 AM
Updated Jan 9, 2013 at 6:17 AM

By JASON COOK

Posted Jan. 9, 2013 at 2:00 AM
Updated Jan 9, 2013 at 6:17 AM

» Social News

A woman accused of stealing prescription drugs from a Wareham veterans home was indicted Tuesday, according to a statement from the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz.

Pamela Silverberg, 49, of Bourne has been indicted on three counts of obtaining prescription drugs by subterfuge, two counts of aiding and abetting and one count of criminal forfeiture, according to the statement.

The indictment stems from a 2011 investigation when Silverberg allegedly stole clonazepam — an anti-anxiety and anti-seizure medication with a brand name of Klonopin — from a supply closet while working at Kendrick House, a home for war veterans at 76 High St., according to court documents.

Silverberg allegedly began replacing the pills with over-the-counter allergy medication around April 1, 2011, and continued her deception through June, according to the court report.

During that time, she was working as a caretaker at the home where 19 residents were housed, according to court documents.

"It's wrong to steal from anybody," said Lisa Smith of Buzzards Bay, who worked as a caretaker with Silverberg during the time of her alleged crimes. There are five caretakers, an administrator and an owner working at Kendrick House, she said.

Smith said she could not believe that Silverberg would steal because she was well-liked by staff and residents.

"The guys really liked her a lot," she said. Smith said Silverberg was struggling with three kids and she spoke with her a few months ago, but they did not speak about the incident.

"We were just shocked," she said of the staff reaction to the charges against Silverberg.

If convicted, Silverberg could face up to four years in jail, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, according to the statement.